What Is Cord Tissue?

Cord tissue refers to the tissue of the umbilical cord (not the blood inside of it). Until recently, cord tissue was usually discarded with the placenta after birth, but new research has shown that cord tissue has the potential for treating many diseases. Cord tissue contains a specific kind of stem cell, called Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Unlike the stem cells that are collected from cord blood, MSCs collected from cord tissue are multipotent, which means they have the capacity to differentiate into many different types of cells, including cartilage cells (chondrocytes), bone cells (osteoblasts), and fat cells (adipocytes). This characteristic of MSCs means that they could potentially be used to treat diseases with a wider range of origin than cord blood alone can treat. Parents-to-be who want to expand their baby’s options for future medical treatment should consider banking stem cells from their baby’s cord tissue.

Cord tissue contains a unique kind of stem cells

The type of umbilical cord stem cells that exist in great quantities in cord tissue are called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have the ability to develop into many types of connective tissue, such as cardiac muscle cells.

While MSCs are not currently being used for medical therapies, they are the subject of over 40 clinical trials.

Research has indicated that MSCs hold the promise of being able to someday treat debilitating conditions such as heart disease, type 1 diabetes, lung cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and injuries to bones and cartilage.

Potential Uses

Though no conditions have been treated using Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), there are more than 40 clinical trials underway researching potential uses. Mesenchymal Stem Cells are the fastest growing area of stem cell research and promise to provide many exciting new therapies in the future if any of the current clinical trials are successful. Among the over 40 clinical trials currently being conducted are trials exploring the possibility of using cord tissue for the following:

Cord tissue (along with cord blood and placenta tissue, which also contain stem cells) can only be collected right after your baby is born. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand your baby’s and your family’s future options for medical treatment.

Americord is committed to quality and affordability

Preserving stem cells is one of the smartest decisions you can make when it comes to the wellbeing of your baby and other family members. Once you make the decision to preserve cord tissue stem cells along with cord blood or placenta tissue stem cells, compare Americord to the other leading cord blood banking and cord tissue banking companies, such as Viacord or CBR.

Americord has set a new standard for dependable, personalized customer service – our commitment to our customers is unmatched in the industry, and we’ll be here for you for years to come with unwavering dedication to your family.

Don’t accept second best when it comes to preserving your baby’s cord tissue stem cells for the future. Contact us today so we can help put you on the path that will lead to a potentially healthier future for you and your loved ones.